NAPA Gold oil filters are no longer made by Wix

[seafish]

While in this day and age I use only Fleetguard, and sometimes Wix filters on my on my truck, I do often use Napa Gold filters on the other vehicles I own and service and have been well served by them over the many years.

The YT video is made by a auto repair shop owner and is NOT meant to bash Napa or even Microguard, but rather simply to show that Napa Gold oil filters are no longer made by Wix (owned by Mann Hummel and made in the USA) and that there quality has likely fallen as a result.


No need to watch the whole video, though he does cut one of each oil filter apart to compare construction methods.

 

[NIsaacs]

and that there quality has likely fallen as a result.

Maybe not.

I will continue to use them. Mostly because they are the only local source for multiple applications that I have need for. Regardless of the equipment filter, oil, air, fuel and hydraulics, they will be on the shelf.

Some info here, note the logo, very similar. It appears that they are manufactured by Napa Auto Parts a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company.

Copy and Paste:

"In conclusion, NAPA Gold oil filters are manufactured by NAPA Auto Parts, a subsidiary of the Genuine Parts Company (GPC)."

Genuine Parts Company Announces Acquisition of Largest NAPA Independent Store Owner in the U.S.

ATLANTA, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today an acquisition for its U.S. Automotive business. Effective April 30, 2024, the company acquired Motor Parts & Equipment Corporation (MPEC).

MPEC, founded in 1938, is based in Rockford, Illinois. It is the largest independent owner of NAPA Auto Parts stores in the U.S., operating 181 locations across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

About Genuine Parts Company
Established in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a leading global service organization specializing in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. Our Automotive Parts Group operates across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, while our Industrial Parts Group serves customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. We keep the world moving with a vast network of over 10,700 locations spanning 17 countries supported by more than 60,000 teammates.

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[Timd32]

Video seems odd to me for sure, but who knows what's what anymore.

On some front it's some sort of click bait, from some side of things.

There is a follow up video out there from them, where Napa came in to discuss it with them, but surprise it does not finish and half ends so you can click more videos and watch more content.

I do agree Napa Gold seemed to be a pretty good product, but who knows about too much any more in the filter game.

Mopar can't keep up with filter demand and approved that non OEM filter lineup, so who knows, doesn't surprised me the filter game has always been all over the place.

Wasn't life great when all we needed as a PH8A Fram or insert your favorite number in.

 

[BigPapa]

I swear, I think Nick owns a Napa store…..

 

[seafish]

Update from Royal Auto on NAPA filters--

You can decide for yourself about NAPA's clarification on whats in the box.

 

[seafish]

Video seems odd to me for sure, but who knows what's what anymore.

On some front it's some sort of click bait, from some side of things.

I do agree Napa Gold seemed to be a pretty good product, but who knows about too much any more in the filter game.

Mopar can't keep up with filter demand and approved that non OEM filter lineup, so who knows, doesn't surprised me the filter game has always been all over the place.

Wasn't life great when all we needed as a PH8A Fram or insert your favorite number in.

Kind of a stretch to call it click bait, but your point about filter quality being all over the place is well taken, which is why I felt it was important to post the videos.

 

[Timd32]

Kind of a stretch to call it click bait, but your point about filter quality being all over the place is well taken, which is why I felt it was important to post the videos.

There is atleast 1 other video in-between they posted, maybe it came down after this one was posted.

Either way, the flip flop back and forth this has caused his business is unfortunate downtime for them and I'm sure they had better things to do and NAPA could have done a better job on the transition, they probably tried to pull a fast one here and swap in the product as quietly as possible and got called out.

 

[Tuesdak]

Wondered how long it was going to take Wix Napa fans to realize this. Perhaps it's a good thing as Wix goes further downhill. Wix is the top of the bottom of the barrel. Their fuel filters can't even bother to meet the large bolder removal filtration specs for a forgotten 6.5TD diesel. Some Wix filters are cheerfully made in China.

And what IS in the box?!

 

[NIsaacs]

Some Wix filters are cheerfully made in China.

It will be easy to list filters made in China. Can you list some that are not?

It is not about the country so much as it is about the brand. Name brand usually means strict quality control. I think we all avoid the no name China stuff.

Using the antique Bosch VE injection pump of the first gen as an example. They didn't need super fine filtration, like today. Fleetguard filter is 20 micron, Wix is 14.

What are the specs of AC Delco for the 6.5? Wix is 14.

Shanghai Fleetguard Filter Co., Ltd. was established in 1994 as a joint venture by Dongfeng Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. and Cummins (China) Investment Co., Ltd. with an investment of 18.26 million US dollars. The company is located in the ever-changing Pudong New Area, with a factory building area of 14,300 square meters and a total of nearly 700 employees.

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrjZoLNlUBm_xgMWvZXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1716718286/RO=10/RU=https://seamac.com/company-introduction-shanghai-fleetguard-filter-co-ltd//RK=2/RS=5iQC5VSQFzpTR_ZSplmh.UdCYCI-

 

[AH64ID]

Amsoil, Donaldson, and Baldwin don’t have a “made in china” stamp…

As far as the 89-93 filter, are you referring to the Wix 33379? It’s listed, by Wix, as 14um nominal. Nominal has no standard. I can call a screen door 2um nominal if I want to. Wix is known to oversell their micron ratings without regard to the absolute rating of the filter they cross to.

Is the FS1232 20um absolute? Or nominal?

 

[NIsaacs]

No clue on how the specs are computed, just what is posted. Filter specs are hard to come by. It depends on what the filter filters, air, oil, fuel.

Does Amsoil make any filters besides oil? When I need a filter I go to Napa, they will have it. Works for me. Amsoil, Donaldson and Baldwin are not walk in available.

From Pure diesel power:

Stock replacement fuel filter.

20 MICRON 50 GAL PER HOUR

Physical Dimensions

Largest OD 77.47 mm (3.05 in)

Overall Height 111.99 mm (4.409 in)

Thread Size M16 X 1.5-6H INT

Fleetguard FS1232

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...ter.html/RK=2/RS=rI6RaQiy_j24mopBfKlZLTRHgsw-



https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...pansion//RK=2/RS=yEERM2Ah7JT9ABe4m76Wc6rHj0c-

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...ou-china/RK=2/RS=5h8frjtwxpI1qZIia7p_W6Q72_c-

Baldwin Filters realizes the potential for filter products in the world market. With manufacturing and distribution centers in the U.S., Mexico, the United Kingdom, Belgium, China, Australia and South Africa, Baldwin Filters has a reputation worldwide forquality products and services.

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...n-filter/RK=2/RS=G_LNyzef6aqDDhkpQOB7sP4Djks-

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...ina.aspx/RK=2/RS=s7njw4satba7uERgv_wV0g9NDFU-

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[AH64ID]

Sure those companies manufacture some products in china, they sell world wide. The filters I buy from them don't say made in china.

No clue on how the specs are computed, just what is posted. Filter specs are hard to come by. It depends on what the filter filters, air, oil, fuel.
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I was able to find the FS1232 being 20µ at 96%. It's impossible to compare that to the Wix since Wix doesn't publish it's nominal rate. Nominal rates are anything less than 98.7%, but sometimes as low as 50%, or lower. Nominal is basically a useless number for filtration efficiency, and should not ever be used to select filters.

For a more current comparison where we can compare 3 filters with published data lets look at the FS19856 that worked from 00 thru 07 in 5.9's.

Fleetguard FS19856: 7µ absolute (98.7%), 5µ at 96%. Nominal not reported
Baldwin PF7977: 5µ absolute, 2µ nominal
Wix 33585XE: 8µ absolute, 6µ at 95%, 7µ nominal

So there you go, if you used nominal you may think the Wix was as good as the Fleetguard but it's not. An even further sticking point is that the 03-09 HPCR 5.9 required a 7µ absolute filter, so the Wix published specs don't meen OEM min spec.

That's not the only example of the Wix failing to meet the published OE specs for fuel filters. Their oil filters aren't as bad.

Does Amsoil make any filters besides oil? When I need a filter I go to Napa, they will have it. Works for me. Amsoil, Donaldson and Baldwin are not walk in available.
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Amsoil only makes oil filters.

I don't do walk in for any of my filters. I know what filters are good and which aren't. I keep good filters on the shelf, use them and get a new set for the next time I need them. Specs matter, and that's why I don't do walk in filters for my equipment.

 

[NIsaacs]

Amsoil, Donaldson, and Baldwin don’t have a “made in china” stamp…

I think I just proved that they do have a "China stamp"

I have good filters on my shelf too. There is more to filters than just filtration. My '91 has 330k miles on Napa/Wix and my '01 has 370k miles on Napa/Wix. Keep in mind the VP pump is notorious for failure. Mine is original.

Anytime there is a Wix/Napa discussion you bash them. Maybe it is unfounded?

Can you prove that your filter choices will make your Cummins trucks last longer than mine? Oh wait...you don't have enough miles on your past and current trucks to equal one of mine.

You are more than welcome to buy your filters your way and I will buy mine, my way.

 

[AH64ID]

I think I just proved that they do have a "China stamp"

I have good filters on my shelf too. There is more to filters than just filtration. My '91 has 330k miles on Napa/Wix and my '01 has 370k miles on Napa/Wix. Keep in mind the VP pump is notorious for failure. Mine is original.

Anytime there is a Wix/Napa discussion you bash them. Maybe it is unfounded?

Can you prove that your filter choices will make your Cummins trucks last longer than mine? Oh wait...you don't have enough miles on your past and current trucks to equal one of mine.

You are more than welcome to buy your filters your way and I will buy mine, my way.

Sure, I absolutely dislike them. I’ve had conversations with wix where they acknowledge that they don’t meet the OEM spec and admit they just don’t care. It’s really hard to have any respect for a company with that attitude. I’m not digging or inferring to find information that shows their inferiority, they publish it on their website so all you have to do is look. They simply expect people to not understand what they publish, and yes they told me that.

How can there be more to filters than filtration? That’s their whole role. The standards aren’t unique to the manufacturers, so it’s not subjective to compare them to the same SAE standards. At the end of the day you simply can’t argue with the specs that Wix publishes, or the specs published by the filters they cross to, or the required specs for the cross. Those are black and white data points, not opinions.

I can’t look for a few days, but I will look at my latest batch of Amsoil and Donaldson filters to see what they say on them, but I don’t recall ever seeing China, only Mexico but Amsoil recently made some changes and I just pick up a couple of those filters last month.

It’s also easy to play the internet photo game too.

 

[SSage]

I've started using the heavy duty synthetic Puralator Boss on my stuff, another option local stores stock. US made filter, not cheap though! Tough filters, thick cans, well made.

 

[NIsaacs]

Sure, I absolutely dislike them. I’ve had conversations with wix where they acknowledge that they don’t meet the OEM spec and admit they just don’t care. It’s really hard to have any respect for a company with that attitude. I’m not digging or inferring to find information that shows their inferiority, they publish it on their website so all you have to do is look. They simply expect people to not understand what they publish, and yes they told me that.

How can there be more to filters than filtration? That’s their whole role. The standards aren’t unique to the manufacturers, so it’s not subjective to compare them to the same SAE standards. At the end of the day you simply can’t argue with the specs that Wix publishes, or the specs published by the filters they cross to, or the required specs for the cross. Those are black and white data points, not opinions.

If you were a corporate spokesman for a company the size of Wix, would you care what a hick from Idaho said?

I called Airlift on my air bags and told them the bottom clamp don't fit the 19+ 4.250" rear axle tube. In plain English, they didn't care what a hick from Arizona had to say.

There is more to filters than just microns, mostly gibberish anyway. There must be 10 or 12 other points, of importance, to the overall filter. Do you think me or anyone with a large fleet of rigs is going to look all that up? Then buy the best oil filter for each, then the best fuel filter for each, then the best air filter for each, then the best coolant filter for each, then the best transmission filter for each, then the best hydraulic filter for each.

See how silly that is? It works for you and that's fine, it don't work for me. If it fits the application, I don't look back. My guess, is, Wix sells more filters than Amsoil, Baldwin and Donaldson combined. I don't see any Wix grave yards, do you?

I was buying Wix before you were born. I maintained 20+ rigs from Cat D-8K dozer to F-250 pickups in the log woods, all using Wix. No issues at all, period.

If Wix was/is as bad as you say, (a hick from Idaho) Then this hick from Arizona would know it. You can't argue with my experience, knowledge and facts, regarding 50 years with Wix. They work and work well.

 

[AH64ID]

If you were a corporate spokesman for a company the size of Wix, would you care what a hick from Idaho said?

Exactly, too big to care about the consumer and their requirements. The tech I spoke to had no clue what size consumer I was if you want to get down to brass tacks on who they care about.

Why would you support that company if there are others that are better?

I called Airlift on my air bags and told them the bottom clamp don't fit the 19+ 4.250" rear axle tube. In plain English, they didn't care what a hick from Arizona had to say.

Airlift has never been known to have the best quality either, so I can't say I'm surprised.

Do you think me or anyone with a large fleet of rigs is going to look all that up? Then buy the best oil filter for each, then the best fuel filter for each, then the best air filter for each, then the best coolant filter for each, then the best transmission filter for each, then the best hydraulic filter for each.

Some do, some don't. Is that really the point?

Why publish specs if noone cares? If you don't think they care about the hicks, then they must be publishing them for the larger fleet guys.

See how silly that is? It works for you and that's fine, it don't work for me. If it fits the application, I don't look back. My guess, is, Wix sells more filters than Amsoil, Baldwin and Donaldson combined. I don't see any Wix grave yards, do you?

I was buying Wix before you were born. I maintained 20+ rigs from Cat D-8K dozer to F-250 pickups in the log woods, all using Wix. No issues at all, period.

If Wix was/is as bad as you say, (a hick from Idaho) Then this hick from Arizona would know it. You can't argue with my experience, knowledge and facts, regarding 50 years with Wix. They work and work well.

It's great you've had good luck with them. I've told you that before. I haven't ever told you to change what you do.

You can't come in here with 50 years of experience on HPCR fuel filter use thou, and that's where the biggest concerns with Wix are. Do you have any experience with wix in HPCR systems? I recall from your other thread that you are not using wix in your 21.

We already know how sensitive the 5.9 HPCR was to filtration and how even a couple microns would have a drastic effect on injector life, so why subjected yourself to sub par filtration? The 6.7's aren't as bas as the OEM filtration requirements and filters were much better.

Wix oil, hydraulic, and air filters all seem to be much better than their fuel filters and I will use some of their air filters, but not my general go to. I don't think they have been able to create a fuel filter media for HPCR use that meets their desired price point, so they scrimp on filtration to stay within the market. It's only a fuel filter issue from what I've found.

I've simply pointed out their fuel filter deficiencies and, IMHO, a piss poor company ethic. If there is a discussion about filters and quality it's a published fact so why not discuss it? If you don't like it being discussed then stay out of the discussions.

 

[NIsaacs]

If you don't like it being discussed then stay out of the discussions.

Don't go there with me John! Who said I don't like discussions? I am not someone you can bully.

Perfect example:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/highway-engine-rpm.274974/unread

 

[Cummins12V98]

MOPAR or AMZ/OIL oil filters for my 19 Jeep GC are made in China. No doubt same manufacturer. PISSES ME OFF

 

[AH64ID]

MOPAR or AMZ/OIL oil filters for my 19 Jeep GC are made in China. No doubt same manufacturer. PISSES ME OFF

Were you just posting something about them being made in the USA not that long ago? Or was that just the EaO80?